BRICS leaders have unanimously adopted a joint declaration calling for maximum restraint and an end to escalating tensions in the Middle East, while stressing the need to protect civilian and nuclear infrastructure.

The declaration, issued at the two-day BRICS summit in New Delhi hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also called for an end to Israeli violence in Gaza, support for UNRWA and full UN membership for Palestine. Leaders opposed the forced displacement of Palestinians and changes to the geography or demography of occupied territories.

The summit also highlighted the need to safeguard global trade, energy flows, supply chains and freedom of navigation, particularly amid disruptions linked to conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia are among those attending the summit. The UAE is represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

BRICS also backed greater cooperation in artificial intelligence, expanded non-Western cross-border payment systems and opposition to unilateral sanctions and tariffs.

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